The Engrailed

The first record came from Sir Arthur Duncan (1909-84) who had found it at Closeburn (VC72).

During 1974-93 six of the seven Rothamsted stations recorded it moderately, with a few earlier records in the 1970s from Caldons, Glentrool (VC73) and Kilsture Forest (VC74).

From 1992 to 2010 the majority of records came from regularly trapped sites at Bargaly Lodge, Carsfad near Dalry (VC73), Durisdeer (VC72) and Forest Moor (VC74), with the rest of the records from widely scattered sites across the region, but not as far west.

Of the total of 260 records up to 2010, only twenty are later than the end of June.

Life cycle

Two generations. Overwinters as a underground pupa. Larvae present May to June, again August to September.

Larval foodplants

A wide variety of woody plants, including Broom, Downy Birch, Hawthorn, Hazel, Hornbeam, Sallows, Spindle and Wild Privet to name a few.

Identification

No diagnostic external or morphological characters exist in the adults or early stages to reliably separate it from Small Engrailed. Use Waring et al. (2009) or Skinner (2009) to identify and record what you have determined. Also, noting whether the moth is fresh or not.

Habitat

Mainly broadleaved woodland, but also in gardens, hedgerows and scrubby areas.

Recorders' notes

The Engrailed and the Small Engrailed on the continent are considered the same species. However, in the south The Engrailed is double-brooded and supposedly single-brooded in the north, but in NE Scotland It has been found to be double-brooded in the 21st century. See Ent Rec Journ Var 115: 153 and 223. Flight period in N. Ireland is early March to mid-May.